Antifreezing and nonpolluting water valve



May 12, 1953 N. F. WETZEL ANTIFREEZING AND NONPOLLUTING WATER VALVEFiled Dec. 16, 1947 INVENTOR.

Nelson Fredrick Weizel,

BY ATTOCLNEY F'J'G. Groupd Patented May 12, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE ANTIFREEZING AND NONPOLLUTING WATER VALVE This invention relatesto an anti-freezing nonpolluting water hydrant and associated valvestructure of the type which is more particularly designed for useunderground in areas subjected to freezing temperatures.

Valves used in hydrants of this character are usually placed undergroundbelow the frost line and provided with means whereby the water remainingin that portion of the hydrant above the frost line after the valve isclosed, may be cleared from the hydrant through suitable Weep holes intoa drain or sewer or by just plain seepage into the surrounding ground.

This type of hydrant structure may serve its purpose where used as firehydrants and other types of installations, but falls far short of therequirements of the U. S. Public Health Service relating to hydrants fordispensing potable water and for preventing contamination thereof.

In the past, the U. S. Public Health Service has severely criticizedpublic carriers, such as railroads, due to the fact that the variouswater hydrants placed throughout the railroad yards for servicing trainswere designed with a weep hole to allow the water remaining in thehydrant stand pipe after use to drain into the surrounding ground orinto a connection to an existing sewer, so as to clear the hydrant standpipe to a point below the frost line. It is the contention of the U. S.Public Health Service that the presence of these weep holes allowscontaminated ground water to enter the stand pipe of the hydrant to thelevel of the surrounding ground water thus contaminating water when nextdrawn from the hydrant.

The object of the present invention is to provide an anti-freezing waterhydrant which overcomes the objections of the U. S. Public HealthService.

Another object of this invention is to provide an associated valvestructure for a Water hydrant which clears that portion of the hydrantstand pipe above the frost line in the particular locality, of any waterwhen the hydrant is not in use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a water hydrantvalve structure for removing the water from the area of freezingtemperature when the water is not flowing and provides positive andcomplete separation of the water while within the hydrant from anysource of contamination.

The above and additional featuresand advantages are described andclaimed in the following specification and claims and are illustrated inthe accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the valve of my invention withthe standpipe and quick detachable coupling shown in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a section through the quick detachable coupling with thehinged cover shown in the position it assumes when the coupling isdisconnected from a hose.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the Water hydrant comprises a stand pipe 45surrounded by an annular inlet chamber 46 provided with a connection atone side to an underground water supply main 41. The annular chamber 46communciates with the interior of stand pipe 45 by way of a series ofholes or inlet ports 48 arranged in the stand pipe 45. Annular chamber45, connected to the water main 41, is situated on stand pipe 45 at sucha point as to be positioned below the frost line when the hydrant isinstalled.

Near the lower endof stand pipe 45, an. annular outlet chamber 49surrounds the same and is in communication with the interior thereof byWay of holes or outlet ports 50. Annular outlet chamber 49 is providedwith a discharge 5| to which is connected a riser pipe 52 extendingabove the surface of the ground. Riser pipe 52 is provided with a quickdetachable coupling 9 for receiving the coupling end of a hose [0 tocarry water on to the point of use. This quick detachable couplingcarries a swing check valve l I and the cover [2 pivoted at H so thatitmay be swung out of the way when a hose is connected as shown in Fig.1, or to the closed position as shown in Fig. 2, in which position itencloses the open end of the coupling to prevent pollution of thedischarge outlet. Also provided within the coupling 9 is a vacuumbreaker port M which is sealed ofi during time of water flow by avelocity check valve l5.

Within stand pipe 45 is mounted a spool type piston member comprising astem 53 threaded at its upper end 54, and extends through cap 55 closingthe upper end of the stand pipe 45 which projects slightly above theground. The upper end 54 of stem 53 is squared as at 56 to receive awrench for turning the same.

Mounted on stem 53 are an upper piston element 5! and a lower combinedpiston and valve element 58 adapted to maintain sliding and sealingengagement with the inner surface of stand pipe 45. The space betweenthese elements con stitutes a substantially constant volume compartment,and the space below the lower element constitutes a variable volumecompartment. The lower piston and valve element 58 contains a foot valveconstruction consisting of a ring washer 59 provided with ports 60controlled by the check valve Bi. It also constitutes a valve foropening and closing communication between the constant volumecompartment and the outlet riser and between the variable volumecompartment and the outlet riser. Upper ports 62 carry communication tothe space above the lower piston and valve element. The purpose of thisfoot valve in the lower piston and valve element 58 is to permitthedischarge of any water trapped between outlet ports 50 and lowerpiston and valve element 53 upon downward movement of the spool typepiston member.

The operation of the water hydrant as illustrated is as follows:

The entire unit is installed in a vertical position in the ground withthe upper capped end 55 of the stand pipe projecting above the groundline with the frost line assumed to be as indicated. With the spool typepiston member at its lower position, as shown in full lines in Figure 1,the piston element 5i and the piston and valve element 58 span thedistance between inlet ports MS and outlet ports lit forming a constantvolume compartment through which water may flow from the main 4i throughinlet ports 58 vertical annular space 3i, outlet ports 5%, discharge 51,riser 52, coupling ii and on to point of use.

When water is no longer needed, the spool type piston member isreciprocated to the dotted line position by turning the upper threadedend 54' of stem 53. In this position, the lower piston and valve element58 blocks communication between inlet ports ds and outlet ports to andforms a variable volume compartment with the discharge pipe connectingto it at a low point so that the later reverse movement of the pistonand a valve element 58 will force the water from the variable volumecompartment up the discharge riser. valveelement 5c, the foot valve 5!has closed, and water'in riser pipe 52 is drawn into the lower end ofthe stand pipe by the combined action of vacuum and gravity, wherebyitis maintained in the riser pipe at a point below the frost line,preventing the freezing thereof when the hydrant is not in use.

Swing check valve H in the quick detachable coupling 9 prevents anywaterin the hose it from being drawn back into the riser, port it and checkwater in riser pipe 52 so as to bring it to a point below the frostline.

Having. described certain embodiments of this invention in detail, it isto be understood that the same have. been offered by way of example, andthat this invention is only to be limited by the scope of the followingclaims.

I claim:

1 Ina water hydrant, the combination of a standpipe having an inlet incommunication therewith, said inlet being connected with a main watersupply, an outlet located near the lower end of said standpipe and incommunication therewith, a riser pipe connected to said outlet andextending above the surface of the ground, said; standpipe. and riserbeing pressure tight During the upward reciprocation of the below groundlevel, a spool type piston member mounted for reciprocation within saidstandpipe comprising a stem having upper and lower piston type elementsmounted thereon, said piston type elements being spaced to span thedistance between said inlet and said outlet when in one position and toblock communication between said inlet and outlet when reciprocatedtoward the opposite extreme position, and means for reciprocating saidspool type piston member, the volume of the part of said standpipeconnected with the outlet riser being at least equal to the volume ofthe riser above frost line when the spool type piston is reciprocated toits extreme blocking position whereby water is drawn out of the upperpart of said riser to prevent freezing and is maintained withoutcontamination until the spool piston is again reciprocated to itsspanning position.

2. In a water hydrant, the combination of a standpipe having a pressurewater inlet through its wall, an outlet through the side wall locatednear the lower end of said standpipe, a riser pipe connected to saidoutlet and extending above the surface of the ground, said outlet andthe part of said standpipe with which it communicates being pressuretight below ground, a spool type piston member mounted ior reciprocationwithin said standpipe comprising a stem having upper and lower pistonelements mounted thereon, said piston elements being spaced tospan thedistance between said inlet and said outlet when in one position and toblock communication between said inlet and said outlet when reciprocatedtoward the opposite position, said inlet and said outlet being spaced adistance apart on said standpipe such that with the lower piston elementin its upper position just below the inlet, a space in the lower end ofthe standpipe is provided suflicient in volume to' accommodate the waterin said riserpipe thereby clearing said pipe to'a point below the frostline, and means for reciprocating said spool type piston member withinsaid standpipe.

3. In water hydrant, the combination of a standpipe having a pressurewater inlet through its side wall, an outlet through the side walllocated near the lower end of said standpipe, a riser pipe connected tosaid outlet and extending above the surface of the ground, said outletriser and the part ofsaid standpipe with which it communicates beingpressure tight below ground, a spool type piston member mounted forreciprocation within said standpipe comprising a stem having upper andlower piston type elements mounted thereon to maintain sliding andsealing engagement with the inner surface of said standpipe and therebyproviding a vertical annular space constituted by the inner surface ofsaid standpipe, the circumferential surface of said stem and the upperand lower piston type elements, said. upper andllower piston typeelements being. spaced from each other on said stem a dis! tancesuificient to span the inlet and outlet openings, into said standpipewhen in the lower extreme position and to block communication betweensaid inlet andv outlet openings when reciprocated toward the oppositeextreme position, and means for reciprocating said spool typememher todraw water from-said. riser into said stand-- pipe and to retain itthere until the spoolpiston isagain moved to its spanning position,

4.. In a Water hydrant, the combination with a. standpipe having, apressure water inlet in communication therewith below frostline, anoutlet located at a lineally spaced position along said standpipe, ariser pipe connected to said outlet extending above the surface of theground, the riser pipe and the part of the standpipe with which itconnects being water tight below ground level, a spool type pistonmember mounted for reciprocation within said standpipe comprising a stemhaving upper and lower piston type elementsmounted thereon and adaptedto maintain sealing engagement with the inner surface of said standpipethereby providing a vertical annular space constituted by the innersurface of said standpipe, the circumferential surface of said stem andthe upper and lower piston elements, said upper and lower pistonelements spaced from each other on said stem a distance sufiicient tospan the inlet and outlet chambers of said standpipe when in one extremeposition and to block communication between said inlet and outletchambers when reciprocated to the opposite extreme position, said inletand said outlet spaced a distance apart on said standpipe such that withone piston element in one extreme position a space in the lower end ofthe standpipe is provided sufficient in volume to accommodate the waterin said riser pipe thereby clearing said pipe to a point below the frostline, the lower piston element having a foot valve construction embodiedtherein adapted to close upon the upward reciprocation of said spoolpiston member and to open upon the downward reciprocation of said spoolpiston member to allow discharge of the water trapped between saidoutlet and said lower piston element, and means for re ciprocating saidspool type member within said standpipe.

5. In a water hydrant, the combination of a standpipe having an inlet incommunication therewith, said inlet being connected to a main watersupply, an outlet located near the lower end of said standpipe and incommunication therewith, a riser pipe connected to said outlet extendingabove the surface of the ground, said riser and standpipe being pressuretight below ground level, a spool type member mounted for reciprocationwithin said standpipe comprising a stem having upper and lower pistontype elements mounted thereon and adapted to maintain sealing engagementwith the inner surface of said standpipe thereby providing a verticalannular space constituted by the inner surface of said standpipe, thecircumferential surface of said stem and the upper and lower pistonelements, said upper and lower piston elements spaced from each other onsaid stem a distance sufficient to span the inlet and outlet to and fromsaid standpipe when in the lower extreme position and to blockcommunication between said inlet and outlet when reciprocated toward theopposite extreme position, a check valve embodied in said lower pistonelement permitting water to flow upward but not downward through saidpiston to allow discharge of any water trapped between said lower pistonelement and the bottom of said standpipe when the piston moves past theoutlet, the volume in the standpipe below the lower piston being greaterthan that of the riser above frost line when the piston is in its upperextreme position, and means for reciprocating said spool type pistonmember.

6. In a water hydrant, the combination of a standpipe having an inlet incommunication therewith, said inlet adapted to be connected to a mainwater supply, an outlet located near the lower end of said standpipe andin communication therewith, a riser pipe connected. to said outletextending above the surface of the ground, said riser and standpipebeing pressure tight below ground level, a spool type piston membermounted for reciprocation within said standpipe comprising a stem havingupper and lower piston type elements mounted thereon adapted to span thedistance between said inlet and outlet when in one position and to blockcommunication between said inlet and outlet chambers when reciprocatedtoward the opposite position, said lower piston type element having aroot valve construction embodied therein permitting water to flow upwardbut not downward, and means for reciprocating said spool type pistonmember.

'7. in a non-polluting water hydrant, a source of water under pressure,an enclosure defining a chamber below frost level divided into constantand variable volume compartments, a discharge riser extending fromatmosphere to be low frost level and connecting into a low point in thevariable volume compartment of said chamber when the variable volumecompartment is expanded to its largest volume and connecting into theconstant volume compartment when the variable volume compartment isreduced to its smallest volume, said riser and chamher being pressuretight below ground level and being completely closed againstcommunication with underground water except from said source of waterunder pressure which said source is continuously connected with theconstant volume compartment of said chamber, said chamber having ahollow extension upward to atmosphere, a plunger in said chamber, a rodextending upwardly through the hollow extension of said chamber formoving said plunger to increase or decrease the volume of the variablevolume part of said chamber sufiiciently to draw water down the riser tobelow frost level, and a valve partition separating the constant volumecompartment and the variable volume compartment, and closingcommunication between the constant volume compartment and the dischargeriser by the initial upward movement of said plunger to interrupt theflow of water through said chamber from the inlet to the dischargeriser.

NELSON F. 'WETZEL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 88,542 Cabell Apr. 6, 1869 150,296 Davis Apr. 28, 1874 856,552Siegrist June 11, 1907 900,813 Albright Oct. 113, 1908 1,742.456 WilsonJan. 7, 1930 2,020,773 Ernst Nov. 12, 1935

